Machine for heat-treating metal articles



Jan. 23, 1940. BQH. uRscHEL MACHINE FOR HEAT-TREAT'ING METAL ARTK'JLESFiled Sept. 4, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 @@CQL/ @of/d2@ Jan. 23, 1940. B.H.UR.,HE1.v 2,188,257

MACHINE FOR HEAT-TREATING METAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. 4, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/nm Jan. 23, 1940. B, H, URSCHEL 2,188,257

MACHINE FOR HEATLTREATING METAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. 4, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan' 23 1940- B; H. URscHEl. 2,188,257

MACHINE FOR HEAT-TREATING METAL ARTICLES Fild sept. 4. 1937 ssheets-sheet 4 Jan. 23, 1940. a'. H. uRscHEl. 2,138,257

MACHINE FOR HEAT-TREATING METAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. 4, 1937 6Sheets-Sheet 5 me/w HC1 i0 -l Y MACHINE FOR HEAT-TREATING METAL ARTICLESFiled sept. 4, 19:57 e sheets-sheet s lullin/111111111111 i PatentedJan. 23,I 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR HEAT-TREAT-INGMETAL ARTICLES Bertis H. Urschel, Bowling Green, Ohio, assigner toUrschel Engineering Company, Bowling Green, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication September 4, 1937, Serial No. 162,428 l l 9 Claims. (Cl.266-6) My invention has for its object to provide a the wall of the pipeand a straight wall strucmachine for manipulating heated bodies toproture of high resistance to all forms of strains duce desired physicalproperties or shapes to and stresses. Thus, the invention eliminates therender them more efficient for the purposes necessity of reheating orstraightening and temwhich they are to perform or the uses to whichperature drawing the pipes to eliminate localized 5 they are to besubjected. Particularly, the inhardening of wall portions of the pipes.vention has for its object to produce a machine The invention alsoprovides means for profor heat-treating pipes formed of steel andalgressively increasing the pressure on the objects loys of steel togreatly increase their strength as the temperature decreases during theheat- 10 and resistance to fracture. The invention entreatment to shapeor maintain form as the 10 ables the production of pipes for containingrigidity of the pipe well increases. fluids of exceedingly highpressures and used The invention also provides a method and for a greatvariety of purposes. As is well known, means for producing variations oftemper of porpipe casings, such as are commonly used in oil tions ofsteel elements such as to produce temelds, extend to a great depth andare subjected pered portions for machine cutting. 1 to enormouspressures and stresses, particularly, The invention also provides amethod and when the greater depths are reached and also, means forhardening steel bodies along denite particularly, during the downwardmovement of areas of surface portions, as in the case of pipes thecasing as the drilling operations progress. or rods, to harden circularsurface portions and 'Ihe invention provides means for producingyieldable tempered intermediate portions of each 20 a uniform rate ofchilling of the walls to obtain element and thereby produce highresistanceto exact and uniform chilling temperatures throughstrains,particularly to compression strains, and out the relatively thin wall ofpipes which have flexibility of the element as a whole. been heatedabove the higher critical tempera- The invention also provides a machinestructure, depending upon the steel content or charture for manipulatingand heat-treating large 25 acter of alloy, and cessation ofA chilling,at substeel elements which may be made at a relatively stantially adefinite steel color or temperature, low cost. such as about 1000", Atoproduce the required The invention consists in other features and temperor hardness or strength. advantages that will appear from the followingThe invention also provides a means for quickdescription and uponexamination of the draw- 30 ly submerging surface portions of the pipeto a ings forming a part hereof. Structures containuniform depththroughout the length of the pipe ing the invention may partake ofdifferent forms and, also, quickly emerging at the required time and maybe varied in their details and still eminterval without causingsplashing of the coolbody the invention. To illustrate a practical apingliquid whereby uniform change in the templication of the invention, Ihave selected a heat- 35 perature of the pipe throughout its length maytreating and straightening machine as an exam- 4be maintained. Theinvention also provides a ple of the various structures that contain theinmeans for surface hardening the exterior survention and shall describethe selected structure face of the pipe, which will increase resistancehereinafter, it being understood that certain feato abrasion during themovement of the pipe over tures of my invention may be used to advantage4o the rock surface as it descends within the bore without acorresponding use of other features of during well drilling. theinvention and Without departing from the The invention also provides amachine wherespirit of the invention as presented in the claims. by thepipes may be rapidly straightened, heat- The particular structureselected is shown in the treated, and cooled to rigidity whilemaintainaccompanying drawings. 45 ing the pipes straight. Fig. 1 of thedrawings illustrates a top view of The invention also provides means forcooling the particular machine selected as an example of the entire wallof each pipe at a uniform rate of embodiments of the invention. Fig. 2is a side temperature change to the proper drawing temview of one endpart of the machine. Fig. 3 is an perature, depending upon the steelcharacterenlarged top view of the other end part of the 50 istics orsteel content, and allowing the pipe to machine. Fig. 4 illustrates apipe end-closing slowly cool to a suitable temperature, such as andclamping member. Fig. 5 illustrates a view 800 or 900 Fahrenheit, whilemaintaining the of a section taken on the plane of the line 5-5 pipestraight to remove all internal stresses and indicated in Fig. l. Fig. 6illustrates a View of produce uniform physical properties throughout apart of the end of the machine. Fig. '7 illus- 55 tion shown in Fig. 'Iand on the plane of the line 3 8 indicated in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 illustratesan enlarged broken view of one of the pressure valves of the machine anda hydrostatic pressure means for controlling the valve. Fig. 10illustrates diagrammatically parts of the machine and the fluid pressureand electric circuits used in connection therewith. Fig. 11 is aperspective view of parts of the machine and particularly illustratesthe arrangement of the nozzles and the rotated element that isheat-treated by the machine. Fig. 12 is a view of a section of a part ofthe machine to show the location of one of the nozzles. Fig. 13illustrates a section of a pipe heat-treated in the machine andindicates the surface hardened portions produced in the heat-treatment.Fig. 14 illustrates a thermostatic liquid control means for controllingthe temperature of the heat-treatment liquid.

The supporting structural parts or bed I of the machine shown in thedrawings may be formed of concrete. It is provided with a closedreservoir part 2 and a trough part 3 which are connected together by aplurality of passageways 4. The parts 2 and 3 are partially filled witha liquid, such as water, and a pneumatic pressure producing means, suchas blower 5 of a type suiilcient to create a pneumatic pressure of 8 or10 ounces, is connected to the reservoir part 2 through a suitableopening, such as the opening 1. for lowering the water in the reservoirpart 2 by the pressure of the blower 5 and causing it to move throughthe passageways 4 into the trough part 3 to raise its level in thetrough part when the blower operates and to return to the reservoir partand lower the level in the trough part when the blower ceases to operateor'when its pressure is cut oil.

'Ihemachine is vdesigned for heat-treating and straightening pipes thatmay be of any length, such as from to 40 feet long and 6 to l2 inches indiameter and in order to produce immediate and undisturbed transmissionof the`water from the reservoir part 2 into the trough part 3, aplurality of large passageways 4 are used for interconnecting the saidparts of the machine. Thus, the level of the water is caused to quicklyand uniformly rise in the trough part 3 without any disturbance orsplashing of the water when extraatmospheric pressure is produced in thereservoir.

and to quickly return the water to the reservoir when the additionalpressure ceases.

The pipes are heated by a suitable furnace to a temperature above thecritical temperatures of the steel or alloys of which the pipes areformed in the manner well known in the art of steel tempering. I'hey aredirected or conveyed to the machine singly by any suitable means, suchas over tracks 9 that direct each pipe 9 onto suitably aligned pairs ofrollers I0 that rotatably support the pipe while in the machine.

In order to heat-treat extremely long pipes', the machine is providedwith a plurality of units I3 distributed along the trough part 3 of themachine, each unit comprising a, meansjor rotatably supporting each pipeas it is heat-treated and a pressure mechanism for straightening thepipe. The rollers are supported on short shafts I| located in the gearhousings I2. The rollers I0 are located exterior the side walls of thehousings and the shafts II are supported in suitable bearings 6 locatedon or formed in the side walls of the housings I2. The shafts |I of theunits are driven by gear wheels I4 that are connected to the shafts |Iand mesh with the gear wheels I5 secured to the shafts I1. The shaft Ilof each unit is rotatably supported in the end walls of the Y areprovided with suitable flange parts that enable bolting the units to thebed, such as by stud bolts partially embedded in the concrete of thebed.

The pairs of rollers IIl of each unit are spaced apart and so as toengage the pipe at points located angularly 120 apart and pressurerollers are disposed by suitable mechanism at points intermediate therollers I0 as measured on the circle of the exterior cylindrical surfaceof the pipe. The pressure rollers 20 are located on levers 2| supportedon brackets 22 that may be secured to or form integral parts of thehousings I2. The levers 2| are each provided with a head 23 on which anelectric motor 24 is mounted. A shaft 25 is rotatably supported in thehead 23 and is connected to the motor 24. A gear wheel 21 is connectedto the shaft 25 and meshes with a gear wheel 23 that is secured to ashaft 30. The shaft is also rotatably supported in the head 23. Thepressure rollers 20 are located on the ends of the shafts 30 of theunits so as to engage the pipe 9 when the heads 23 are lowered by themovements of the levers 2|. The motors I8 and 24 coact to rotate thepipe at a relatively high speed to insure, through the rollers,uniformity of bending in straightening and uniformity of chilling inheat-treating the pipe.

A suitable meansk is provided for independently manipulating the leversand exerting pressures that are transmitted through the rollers 20 tothe pipe. In the form of construction shown, one end of each lever isprovided with a toggle joint 29 comprising the links 3|, one of which ispivotally connected to a bracket 32 that is secured to the bed of themachine. The links 3| are connected together by a suitable pin 34 whichforms the z central joint of the toggle construction. A pneumaticpressure means 33 may be used for manipulating the pressure rollers 20through the operation of the toggle 29. Inasmuch as the pairs of rollersI0 of the machine are located in axial alignment, the pressure of therollers 20 on the heated pipe will operate to progressively axiallyalign the parts of the pipe and thus straighten the heated pipe as theyengage it by the operation of the pneumatic pressure devices.

Each ofthe pneumatic pressure devices 33 comprises a piston 35 and acylinder 31. 'I'he piston 35 is connected by means of the piston rod 38with one of the links 3| to exert a pressure to move the central jointof the toggle toward a pition of alignment with the pivot points ofconnection with the lever 2| and the bracket 32 and thus progressivelyforce the parts of the pipe in axial alignment and straighten the pipe.The cylinder 3l is pivotally connected by means'of the pin 4I! with thebracket 22 to enable oscillatory movements oi' the cylinder 3l and thepiston rod 33 in conformity to the swinging movements of the link 3| towhich the piston rod 38 is connected. The cylinders 31 oi.' the units ofthe machine are connected to a source of supply of fluidunder'pressurethat may be manually'controlled by a suitable valve 39. The passagewaysfrom the control valve to the cylinders may be suitably restricted toproduce simultaneous movements of the levers 2| to move the rollers 20against the pipe located in the machine with a relatively light initialpressure to preventdenting thel heated wall vof the l ture, such as toabout 1000 Fahrenheit, depending upon the steel characteristics of whichthe pipe is formed, whereupon the operation of the blower isdiscontinued and the level of the liquid in the trough is lowered. Anywarping by reason of the chilling operation of the pipe is overcome bythe pressure of the rollers I 0 and 20 and rotation of the pipe. Thepipe is held straight, as its rotation continues, until the temper ofthe pipe is drawn, that is, until the pipe has cooled in air to about800 or 900"` Fahrenheit. Rotation of the pipe continues until the wallbecomes rigid. When the temperature of the pipe is substantially at thecritical temper drawing temperature, the central joints of the toggles29 approach alignment with the pivot points of connection of the outerends of the links, and consequently, as the pipe cools during itsrotation to temper the steel, the toggles 29 are automatically extendedby the reduction in the diameter of the pipe while being subjected tothe pneumatic pressure in the cylinders 31. The toggles thus produce aprogressively increased magnication of the pneumatic pressure of thecylinders in the'transmission of the pressure to the rollers 20 as thewalls of the pipe contract and increase in rigidity. The slightextension of the tcggles permitted by the reduction of the diameter ofthe pipe when the central joint approximates alignment with the othercenters of the toggles produces a pressure that is suiiicient to preventwarping during cooling. The increasing pressure overcomes the resistanceto straightening of the pipe as its rigidity increases.

In order to raise the level of the water to the samepredetermined depthin the trough in each succeeding operation and to maintain the levelduring the pressure of the pneumatic pressure producing means, apluralityof valves 4| are disposed at spaced points along the bed I ofthe machine above the reservoir part 2. The valves 4I are provided withsuitable pneumatic pressure actuatable elements, such as the pistons 42,that are slidably supported in the casings of the valves. The valves areconnected to the reservoir part 2 of the machine through the openings 44to operate the pistons 42 by the pressure produced in the reservoir bythe blower 5. The valves are provided with ports 45 that are uncoveredby the movement of the pistons 42. The movements of the pistons 42 areresisted, preferably, by a means that will produce substantially thesame resistance to such movements in all of the valves 4I connected tothe reservoir. Thus, the valves 4i are connected together by pipes 4land to a standard or container 48 of suitable height and containing aliquid 50 that iilis the spaces of the pipes and the parts of the valvecasings above the g4l`to-produce a desired head oi the liquid Il in thecontainer 4l .and thus a desired hydrostatic pressure that will producea uniform counterpressure to opening `movements of the valves 4i andlimit the extent of the pneumatic pressure produced by the pneumaticpressure producing means in the reservoir and thus limit the rise of thelevel of the water in the trough part 3 of the machine. 'I'he liquid 50may be any suitable liquid, preferably oil is used, and its head may bereadily varied by addition or removal of oil to produce desired limitingpressures in the reservoir 2 and thus control the depth of the partialsubmergence of the pipe by the rise of the water.

The level of the liquid used for cooling the pipe 9 is necessarilyraised above the rollers I0 which support the pipe. In case of leakageof the water, where water is used as the cooling liquid, through thebearingsof the shafts I i that rotatably support therollers, the levelof the oil in the housings I2 will be raised which may be ascertained bya suitable depth-indicating guage rod and if there is an indication ofrise in level pistons l2 and a desired depthV in the container of theoil, water within the housings may be I withdrawn through pipes I6 thatextend exterior of the bed i. The pipes I6 may be provided with suitablevalves for removing the Water from the housings.

To increase the differential between the temperature of the pipe and thetemperature of the liquid'used for cooling the pipe, the temperature ofthe liquid in the vicinity of the pipe may be lowered by theintroduction of a cooling liquid into the trough. When water is used forcooling the pipe, the trough 3 is provided with a plurality of outletsor recesses located along the upper outer edge of the trough, such asthe recesses 5I whereby the introduction of additional water will causethe discharge of the heated water located in proximity to the pipe fromthe trough part 3 ofthe machine.. Thus, the valves 4i connected to thereservoir part 2 may be used to maintain the level of the liquid whenraised in the trough partiti close proximity to the edges of the outletsor recesses 5I and prevent loss of liquid within the parts of the bed ofthe machine. The valves operate to produce the desired rise of theliquid or depth of submergence of the pipes. The overflow of the surplusliquid at the point that produces the desired depth of submergence ofthe pipe maintains a, constant working quantity of the liquid in themachine.Y

In order to maintain a desired cooling temperature of the water withreference to the heated pipe, the supply of the cooling water isthermostatically controlled. A plurality of thermostatic bulbs 52 aredisposed beneath and in proximity to the pipe and,consequently, in theregion of the portion of the water in close proximity to the wall o fthe pipe when the level of the liquid is raised. The bulbs 52 are spacedalong the pipe and are connected together by the pipes 54 having a smallbore and to the sheet metal bellows 55. The bulbs 52 of the thermostats,the pipe 54 and the bellows 55 are lled with a liquid having a lowboilingpoint that normally gasies at a temperature somewhat below thetemperature at which it is desired to maintain the temperature of theportion of the water in proximity to the surface of the pipe when thepipe is partially submerged. The vaporization or gasification of theliquid in the bulbs produces a marked expansion and the pressure createdby the expansion is transmitted through the portion of the liquid in thepipes 54 u l predetermined point to close the circuit of anelcctromagnetically operated' valve 88. The valve Il il connected toasource of supply of relatively cool water by means of the pipe 6i and isop- .'crative to vconnect a plurality of pipes 52, that open into thebottom of the trough part 8 of the bed I of the machine, with the pipe8i. The pipes 62 are distributed along the trough to direct the iiow ofthe coolingv water at different points beneaththe pipe l that is beingheat-treated I in the machine to maintain a uniform cooling temperaturealong the pipe 8. 'I'he valve 80 may be operated bya suitable solenoid84 that is connected toa source'of supply of electric current, such asfrom a commercial circuit. Thus, the

I' solenoid 64 and the switch 58 may be connected to the'main lines 55of such a circuit and upon closure of the switch 58, the circuit of thesolenoid 84 is completed with the source of supply of electric currentto operate the valve 60 and connect the trough part 3 of the machinewith the source of supply of water through the pipes 6I and 62.

Preferably, the outlets of the pipe 62 are directed toward a baillemeans that produces distribution along the pipe 9 that is being heat- Itreated, the baille being so disposed as to direct the cooling waterthrough the water of the trough and toward the pipe 9. Preferably, achannel iron 61 is located inthe bottom of the trough part I beneath theheated pipe and the outlets or Q nozzles of the pipes 82 are so disposedas to direct the stream of the cooling water downward toward the channeliron 61 which reverses the flow from each of the nozzles and causes itto be deilected upward and also freely lengthwise of* the channel a toproduce uniform distribution of the liquid stream which is introducedunder pressure upward toward the heated pipe and the bulbs. When thetemperature of the bulbs is suiliciently reduced, the valve 68 is closedand the ow of the n cooling water ceases. Thus, the cooling water isdistributed along substantially the central vertical plane through theaxis of the heated pipe, and, by the control of the thermostat, adesired chilling temperature differential is maintained.

u In order to prevent flow of the cooling water into the reservoir inadvance of the rise of the level in the trough produced by the pneumaticpressure created in the reservoir, each thermostatic bulb 52 is providedwith a suitable heat inn sulating shield 68, (Fig. 5), locatedintermediate the heated pipe and the bulb to prevent the intense heatfrom the pipe when first positioned in the machine from causing theactuation of the valve 68 and flow of the cooling liquid in advance a5of the rise of the liquid in the trough produced by the operation of theblower 5. Y

When the heated pipe is first introduced into the machine in advance ofraising the level in the liquid, its ends are closed by means of clamp-70 ing members 18 and 1| that cover the ends of the pipe 9 and preventthe entrance of the liquid of the trough into the pipe when the level ofthe liquid is raised by the pressure produced in the reservoir 2. Theclamping member 1l is rotat- 75 ably supported in one end wall of thetrough part of the machine and in substantially axial alignment with-the pipe 8 when it has receiver its initial straightening immediatelymbsequent to the introduction of the pipe into the trough. 'I'heclamping member 1I is connected to and I rotatably supported on a pistonrod 12 by a suitable coupling. The piston rod 12 is actuated by a pistonlocated in a cylinder 14. The cylinder 14 is located in the other endwall of the trough part and may be pneumatically operated to pren 10 Ythe clamping member 16 against one end ot the pipe during the rotationof the pipe, and shift the pipe lengthwise to engage the clamping memdber 1|. Both ends of the pipe are covered by the clamping members andprevent entrance of u the water into the interior of the pipe whichwould, otherwise, prevent uniformity of the temperature control. Thus,the exterior surface only of the pipe contacts with the water whichoperates to surface-harden the-pipe. 'lhis is of u particular advantagein connection with pipes that are used for well casings since damage byabrasion during well drilling as the casing descends4 during the boringoperations is prevented. In order to prevent collapse of the pipe whileex- 25 tremely hot and during the initial chilling, the clamping member1I has a stem or tubular part 15 that extends through the end wall ofthe trough part 3 in which the clamping member 1I is rotatably supportedwhich enables air to enter a0 l the pipe through the tubular part 15 ofthe clamping member and maintains atmospheric pressure within the pipeduring the heat-treatment.

When the heat-treatment is completed, the pipe may be discharged by asuitable mechanism 85 for raising the pipe 9 from the rollers il andmoving it on to the ends of the tracks 8. In the particular constructionshown, a plurality of oscillatable arms 11 are pivotally supported uponsuitable brackets 18 secured to the cross bars Il 40 having end partsthat may be embedded in the concrete of which the bed i is formed. 'I'hearms 11 are operated by means of a shaft 8| to which are connected aplurality of arms 82. 'I'he arms 82 are connected to the arms 11 bymeans of lnks 45 84. The shaft 8i is actuated by means 'of pistonslocated in cylinders 85 that are located at opposite ends of andexterior to the trough part 3 of the machine. The cylinders 85 operatethe piston rods 81 which are connected to the shaft Il 50 by means ofarms 88. The cylinders 85 are connected to brackets 98 supported on theends of the bed I to enable the cylinders to oscillate in accordancetothe oscillation of the arms 88 upon operation of the shaft 8i. Thecylinders 85 may 55 be connected with a source of supply of air underpressure by suitable valves that may be manually actuated to operate theshaft 8i when it is desired to eject the pipe 9 from the machine anddispose it on the tracks 8. Preferably, the tracks w 8 are inclined fromthe points in the tracks to which the pipe is moved by the arms 11 toenable it to roll from the trough.

Thus, in the operation of the machine, the pipes to be heat-treated aresequentially placed 05 on the rollers I0 and lair is introduced into thecylinders 31 to produce gradual depression of the heads 23 as therollers i0 and 28 are rotated by the motors i8 and 24, to graduallyaxially align the parts of the heated pipe 9 and to dispose the 70 endsof the pipe in alignment with the clamping members 18 and 1i'. Air underpressure is then introduced into the cylinder 14 which closes one end ofthe pipe by the clamping member 18 and operates to move the pipe axiallyagainst the 75 clamping member ,'Il which covers the other en'd of thepipe'. The-clam member 1l is mounted on the end of a hollow shaft 15.which connects the interior. of the pipe with the atmosphere exterior tothe trough. The electric motor of the blower 5 is then connectedto asource of supply of electrlccurrent by means of the switch 9|.Preferably, the switch 9|. is connected to a timer 92, of a type wellknown in the art, for producing iiow of the current to the blower 5 fora desired predetermined period. The switch 9| is subsequently opened ormay be, if desired, also opened by the timer, Thus, the timer 92 may beadjusted to limit the period of the chilling operation. At theexpiration of the predetermined time as determined by the operation ofthe timer, the blower is disconnected and the production of thepneumatic pressure in the reservoir part ceases and the level of theliquid in the trough part is lowered bythe difference in the head of theliquid in the trough and the reservoir, both being subject toatmosphericv pressure. When theblower ceases to operate, air, atatmospheric pressure, will readily pass through the blower to thereservoir.

Thus, the pipes may be heated to a given temperature and chilled duringthe deiinite period of partial insertion and rotation of the pipe in aliquid having adeiinite and constant cooling temperature asthermostatically determined. The

temperature of the cooling liquid is thermostatically maintainedsubstantially constant by means of the bulbs 52 that are interconnectedthrough the pipes 54 with the sheet metal bellows 55 that contains asuitable low boiling point liquid to produce a marked rise -in pressurein the bellows 55 to cause the operation of the switch 58. The switch 58is connected to the source of supply of electric current to complete acircuit through the solenoid 64 and cause the operation of the valve 60.The valve 60 operates to direct the flow of a cooling liquid from asource'of supply of the liquid to the pipes 62 that direct the ilow ofthev liquid against the channel iron 61 which reverses the direction ofthe flow and spreads the liquid along the trough and directs it upwardtoward the heated pipe and the thermostatic bulbs located in thevicinity of the pipe. By the intro'- duction and the upward movement ofthe cooling liquid into the trough, the heated liquid in the vicinity ofthe pipe is caused to flow to the outlets or recesses of the edgeportion of one of the side walls of the trough, Thus, the excess of theliquid occurring by the introduction of the cooling liquid into thetrough flows through the recesses 5I. The overiiow thus produced may bedirected to a suitable trough and discharged from the machine.

During the drawing of the temper of the steel and to prevent warpingduring the cooling of the pipe, the contraction of the wall of the pipeoperates 'automatically to magnify the pressure exerted by the pistonson the toggles 29 to resist the distortion that might otherwise occurduring the contraction of the pipe as rigidity of the pipe wallincreases.

The pipe is ejected by the operation of the arms Il which are actuatedby the shaft'l that is operated by means of the cylinder that isconnected to theshaft through the arm 88. The pipe is raised from therollers lll and disposed on the tracks 8 and thus may be rolled from themachine.

If desired, spray nozzles may be located at desired points along thetrough for chilling the I rotating heated element. Mist-producingnozzles maybe used and the nozzles may be formed to distribute thecooling liquid over desired-lengths i of the element, or they maybelocated at different points around the element to produce a distributionoi sprayed liquid or cooling mist over substantially the whole surfaceof the element; or the nozzles may be located at certain points forproducing localized increased hardness of the element, or the liquid'now from the nozzles may be varied either as to quantity discharged oras to steam flow or mist formation to produce desired cooling eifectsonl the heated rotating element to control the temper produced in theelement. Also, if desired, the sprays may be used in conjunction withthe cooling liquid in the trough and the` liquid from the nozzles andthat in the trough manipulated to produce the desired chilling rate orvariation in the chilling rate at different points along the element.Thus, where pipes are heat-treated, the ends may be formed softer thanthebody walls of the pipesto enable machining the ends fto provide meansfor interconnecting the pipes.

In the form of construction shown, the nozzles 94 are located above thepipe and the nozzles 95 are located along the side of the pipe. They aremounted on brackets 96 supported on the bed i. The nozzles are connectedto a. source of supply of a cooling liquid, such as water, by the pipes91. The flow of the liquid from each of the nozzles 95 may be controlledby the valves 98. ii' desired, the valves 98 may be set to produce thedesired quantity iiow from each nozzle 95 and a valve 99 maybe used foropening and closing the connection with the source of supply of water toproduce substantially simultaneous flow of the liquid from all of thenozzles, and produce desired variation of the chilling rate of portionsof glane pipe according to the adjustment of the valves If desired,spray nozzles maybe formed to chill limited spaced areas of the heatedsteel element and produce by the heat-treatment spaced, hardenedportions. Thus,l where steel elements are heat-treated, surface hardenedportions separated by softer tempered portions will be formed. Wherepipes or rods are heat-treated, ring hardened portions may be formedwhich will withstand large radially diected strains and the..

softer tempered portions will enable subsequent limited bending of therod or pipe.

The spray nozzles 94 are formed to produce narrow streams either in mistform or as a continuous liquid flow and are located to direct a coolingliquid over spaced surface portions of the rotating heated pipe, when ithas been straightened by rotation of the pipe and the pressure of thepressure rollers, to produce narrow bands or rings of surface chilledareas of the pipe which results after completion of the heat-treatmentin exceedingly hard ring portions separated by softer or tempered steelportions.V The nozzles may be arranged and mounted in any suitable wayto produce the desired ring hardened areas of the pipe. They may bedistributed circularly with respect to the heated pipe and spacedlengthwise along the trough as may be desired. They are preferablylocated 10 or 16 inches apart, measured in the direction of the lengthof the pipe, where large pipes are heat-treated, and the liquid flowdelivered from the nozzles may be varied in width. The nozzles 94 areconnected through the pipe Illl with a source of supply water. The flowof the water to the nozzles 94 be used in the heat-treatment oi.' theelements and with or without submergence entirely, or in part,

inthewateroi'thetrough. Whenthetwosets of nonies 'are used to heat-treatthe element. the

water from thenoszles lirst chills separated portions oi' the heatedrotated element, and then water from the nozzles Il is sprayed over theentire length of the elent and the element may be removed from themachine or .may be further.

chilled by submergence in the trough as hereinbei'ore described.'l'heliquid from the nozzles v Il may alsobe iii-st directed onto therotating heated element to "ring chill the element and the liquid israised to contact the element to temper the portions of the elementintermediate the ring-hardened portions. Y

In Fig. 13 is indicated the "ring-hardening produced by localisedchilling by'contact ofthe water that flows through the nozzles 94 ontothe rotating heated pipe and which are separated by softer temperedportions which greatly sustains the strains to which the pipe may besubjected and yet the pipe 9, as a whole, may be bent curvedly. Thesurface hardened portions are lndicated at Il l which are separated bythe softer, yet tempered, intermediate portions |05.

In the operation oi' the machine and use of nozzles, the heated pipe isrst straightened by th rollers as described above and while hot andd/lng its rotation, and then, if desired, water is directed to produce.localized hardening, or the valve I9 is opened to direct the waterthrough the nozzles .Sl over the entire surface of the heated pipe. Thevalves are soon closed andpreferably while the water in the trough isrising toward the pipe to produce submergence of a part of the pipe asthe flow oi' the water from the nozzles ceases. Variation in theA.manipulation of the chilling liquid may be followed to produce desiredchilling effects on the heated steel. 'I'he level of the liquid islowered after chilling to the required temperature such as 'below thelower critical temperature, and when the rotating pipe has suilicientlycooled, the pipe is discharged from the machine as described above.

I claim:

1. In a machine for heat-treating elements,

the machine having a trough part and a reservoir part for containing aliquid and a passageway connecting the said parts below the level of theliquid, a pneumatic pressure producing means for pressing liquid fromthe reservoir part into the trough part through the passageway to raisethe level of the liquid in the trough part, means for regulating thepressure produced by the pressure producing means to regulate the levelof the liquid in the trough part, and means for supporting an element inthe trough part of the machine and submerged in part by the rise in thelevel in the trough part.

2. In a machine for heat-treating elements, the machine having a closedreservoir part and a trough part and passageways for connecting bottomportions of the said parts and containing a liquid, a pneumatic pressureproducing means for forcing the liquid from the reservoir part into thetrough part for varying the level of the liquid in the said parts, apressure control means for limiting thegpressure to a desired constantpneumatic pressure in the reservoir part by the pneumatic pressureproducing means for raising afi'saasv the level ofthe liquid in thetrough part to a predetermined point, and meansfor supporting an elementabove the normal level ot the liquid in `qthe trough part of the machineand submerged in-part by the rise in the level ofthe liquid inthe troughpart.

3..In a machine forheat-treating pipes,.the machine having a troughpart. for -containing a liquid, means for rotatably supporting and ro-'tating a pipe in the trough part, means for contacting the pipe and theliquid, a pair oi rotatable pipe clamps for clamping and closing theends of .the pipe, means for actuating one of the clamping members toclamp a pipe end-wise.

4. vIn a machine for heat-treating pipes. the machine having a troughpart for containing a liquid, a plurality of supporting rollers forsupporting the pipe and a plurality of pressure rollers for pressing thepipe against the supporting rollers, means for rotating the rollers andthe pipe, a pair of rotatable pipe clamps i'or clamping and covering theends oi' the pipe to prevent entrance of liquid into the ating one ofthe clamping members to clamp the having an opening for connecting theinterior ofthe pipe to the exterior atmosphere.

pipe. means for actu-.

pipe end-wise, one of the clamping members.Y

5. In a machine for heat-treatingelements, the `I machine having areservoir part and a trough part for containing a liquid and apassageway connecting bottom portions of the said parts, a pneumaticpressure meansfior raising the pneumatic pressure in the reservoir partand raising the level of the liquid in the trough part, means forsupporting an element above the normal level of the liquid in the troughpart and submerged in part by the rise of the liquid in the trough part,a plurality of valves connected to the reservoir part for reducing thepneumatic pressure in the reservoir part upon opening of the valves,means operated bypneumatic pressure in the reservoir for opening thevalves and means interconnecting the valves for maintaining asubstantially constant yielding resistance to their opening movement.

6. In a machine for heat-treating elements. the machine having a closedliquid reservoir part and a trough part and passageways for connectingbottom portions of the said parts, a pneumatic pressure producing meansfor raising the pneumatic pressure in the reservoir part and raising thelevel of the liquid in the trough part, means for supporting an elementabove .the normal level of the liquid in the trough part and submergedin part by the rise of the liquid in the trough part, a plurality ofvalves for controlling the pneumatic pressure in the reservoir part,each of the valves connected to the reservoir part, each of the valveshaving a movable valve element responsive to the pressure in thereservoir part and an outlet opened by the valve element for an escapeof gas from the reservoir part, a container for a liquid, means forhydraulically connecting the valves to the container for maintaining aconstant yielding pressure according to the head of the liquid in thecontainer for controlling the pressure in the reservoir part.

'7. In a machine for heat-treating pipes, the machine having a closedreservoir part and a trough part for containing liquid, and a pluralityof passageways interconnecting the bottom portions of the reservoir partand the trough part, a plurality of supporting rollers for supporting apipe, a plurality of pressure rollers for pressing the pipe against thesupporting rollers, means in the trough part, a plurality ofthermostats4 located in the liquid when the level of the liquid israised and in proximity to the pipe, a source of supply of a coolingliquid, means conjointly controlled by the thermostats for directing theflow of the cooling liquid into the liquid in the trough part and meansfor distributing the cooling liquid toward the submerged portions of thepipe, the trough having outlets for removing the heated liquid as thecooling liquid is introduced into the trough, for maintaining asubstantially predetermined cooling temperature at the submerged portionof the pipe.

8. In a machine for heat-treating pipes, the machine having a troughpart for containing a liquid, means for rotatably supporting a pipe inthe trough part, means for rotating the pipe and means for contactingthe pipe and the liquid, a pair of rotatable pipe clamps for clampingand covering the ends o1' the pipe for preventing entrance of the liquidwithin the pipe. means for actuating one of the clamping members t clampthe pipe endwise, and means for rotatably supporting the pipe clampsextending through the walls of the trough, one of the pipeclampsupporting means having a passageway connecting the interior of thepipe with the atmosphere.

9. In a machine for heat-treating pipes, the machine having a troughpart for containing a liquid, a plurality of sets of supporting rollersfor supporting the pipe and a plurality of pressure rollers, theplurality of pressure rollers substantially located in the plane of thesupporting rollers disposed at right angles to the axes of the rollersfor pressing the pipe against the supporting rollers, a motor meanslocated exterior to the trough and including a shaft extending throughthe Wall of the trough for operating each set of supporting rollers forrotating the rollers and the pipe, a pair of rotatable pipe clamps forclamping and covering the ends of the pipe to prevent entrance of waterinto the pipe, means extending through the walls of the trough forrotatably supporting the pipe clamps, and means located exterior to thetrough for operating one of the said clamp-supporting means foractuating one oi the clamping members to clamp the pipe against one ofthe other of said clamps, one of the clamping members having an openingfor connecting the interior of the pipe to the exterior of the troughthrough the said clampsupporting means.

BERTIS E. URSCHEL.

